I woke up this morning at 6:00 AM, got dressed, had breakfast and coffee with Cathleen, Jule, and Emma, brushed my teeth, and headed out the door to Gymnasium Johanneum. Cathleen walked with me, assuring me that everything would be easy because it's the first day on our way. I wasn't nervous until we turned the corner and about a hundred kids were standing outside the school, waiting for the bell. We walked through the crowd and into the building, where we found an even bigger crowd of students catching up after the long summer holiday. Cathleen took me directly to the secretary so I could wait for someone to show me to my classroom. She gave me a big smile and warm hug before leaving me with my teacher. Herr Weigel led me to the room which had several students waiting outside. "Oh God," I thought as we all shuffled in, "this is going to be the longest day of my life."
When class finally began Herr Weigel made everyone find a partner--"Great."--to get to know each other and talk about activities we do in our free time. A girl approached me, seeing that I clearly didn't know anyone, and introduced herself as Lena. As she started to explain what were doing and ask me questions, I realized how little German I actually knew. Everyone was speaking so quickly, it's a wonder to me how they even understood each other. Lena tried to communicate with me as best she could, but nothing was getting through to me, and I could tell she regretted ever agreeing to be my partner. After a few minutes of Lena asking questions in very advanced German, and me gazing back at her blankly, Herr Weigel announced that it was time to go around the room and present what we had learned about our partners. "Oh nein. Nein, nein, nein," I murmured as I stood up with Lena. I went first, giving very little information in very broken German, then Lena. I would have preferred to dig my eyes out of their sockets. The rest of the period was fuzzy, to say the least. When it was over I stood up, ready to head to my next class, when I realized I had no idea where I was going. "Rebekah," I heard from behind me. "Would you like for me to show you around the school?" Dani, a girl who had the same schedule I did offered this very kind gesture--and in English! "Ja! Bitte! Bitte," I replied.
We walked to our next class: French. "I can do this," I thought, "This shouldn't be that hard." (I have taken four years of French.) Class went by much more smoothly than that before it. Next came History, then Politics, both passing with very little understanding of what was actually going on, and then Pause. After Politics I was in such a daze that a 45 minute break was exactly what I needed. I followed Dani around the whole time. She introduced me to new people, showed me around more of the school, and explained more of how German schools works--some in English, some in German. After our break we went straight to English, and as I realized which subject it was I breathed a sigh of relief heard around the world. "My ish," I thought as the teacher spoke in fluent English. Lastly came Physics, which was also a complete blur.
Once school ended I walked home, without even saying goodbye to Dani, eight books in my hands, and realized I hadn't eaten anything all day long. Not one thing. I was ready to pass out as soon as I walked through the door, but I found Cathleen in the kitchen with a hot meal waiting for me.
Hello Rebekah. I ran into your Mom at church last evening and I asked how you were doing. She said you have started this blog post to keep everyone up-to-date on your adventures. I'm so glad to be able to read and learn all about what exciting things are going on in Germany. It's been over 31 years since I was last there. I was only 12 years old at the time and with my parents and I always think to myself that I didn't appreciate the opportunity I had by being there. I can't wait to hear all about your experience over the next 10 months. I know your time will go by quickly and smoothly!! I admire your maturity with being so far away from home. I hope the second day at school and all of the rest since then have gone better than the first. Hang in there. You are thought of often and missed by your Countryside family and Kaitlyn sends her "Hello's" too. We will be anxious to see your next post. :) - Linda Ruiz
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